Don't you ever wonder how and why all of this talent leaves the state..I'm not a ASU or UA fan either...but I'm happy some are contributing to teams I follow (Mark Andrews/OU; Dustin Woodard/Memphis) or have known personally (Jalen Brown/Oregon)...but each week you look across the college landscape there are lots of AZ kids contributing at out of state schools.

thatkidsdad wrote: Don't you ever wonder how and why all of this talent leaves the state..I'm not a ASU or UA fan either...but I'm happy some are contributing to teams I follow (Mark Andrews/OU; Dustin Woodard/Memphis) or have known personally (Jalen Brown/Oregon)...but each week you look across the college landscape there are lots of AZ kids contributing at out of state schools.

Arizona is no longer a state where only a few kids each year have a chance to play FBS, which is a great thing - with that comes more options and opportunities to succeed and choose programs that offer the best chances at success, or best fit, based on the goals and perceptions of said athletes. So, if an athlete and his family/support system does the research, the math, etc., and determines that a program outside of Arizona (when there are only two FBS options here) offers what they believe to be the best option/opportunity - well, we should say best of luck and be grateful that this state is now developing and showcasing talent at a level and in numbers where they have more than just those two FBS options in state.

Does it always pan out to go elsewhere, no, but sometimes it does. And sometimes it is better for reasons outside of football. Sometimes it offers an experience, an adversity, an opportunity for growth and learning that couldn't or wouldn't happen "at home" that is immeasurable. I didn't choose the school my son chose, and frankly, I wouldn't have, if I were him. But I'm grateful and proud beyond measure that he did. He wouldn't be the young man he is today, had he stayed home. And I know several young men from his class who are now playing outside of Arizona and it is the best thing, hands down, they could have made happen for themselves. I also know some who did stay in AZ and that was a perfect decision for them and the programs. There is so much more to it than "where are you from." Those days are long gone.

If I had gone through hell week and the first month of practice in the Arizona heat for the last 10 years, I would want to go elsewhere for college football. Seriously, is there any place hotter than a youth football field at 5pm in august...

If I had gone through hell week and the first month of practice in the Arizona heat for the last 10 years, I would want to go elsewhere for college football. Seriously, is there any place hotter than a youth football field at 5pm in august...

Lol! Great point! Yes there is something worse a youth game between 12 noon and 4 pm on Saturday's from August 2x To about mid-September.

I don't think Arizona is losing talent rather than it being the choice of the individual deciding to explore the country and start something new. The millennials (or however you want to describe them), are very into doing things their own way and learning on the fly. And I would bet once you see the grass on the other side, no matter how green or brown it is, they are willing to take the chance to make it their own.

Another problem is the lack of next level football in AZ. You only have 11 options (7 JUCOs) from JUCO to D1 locally. Most states have 11 D2-D3 schools generally speaking. And when you're D1 programs aren't top 10 year after year that's easy to look past when you have the opportunity to go elsewhere (referring back to my first statement)

My statements were more related to "what if they stayed" knowing not all the players can stay nor do I think there is enough talent across the state to fill a D1 roster and complete on a high D1 level. When we have 6-10 schools that will produce maybe 20 D1 level contributors. I have no plans on restricting my son where to go when his time comes.

You asked how and why they leave - so I just threw in my view on that, having had personal experience.

And I actually think there are more schools than that producing/showcasing D1 talent and the number (being discovered) has been climbing. Thus, with limited options here, plus just more athletes getting to choose - more will leave.

Also - there are places hotter than the above examples: middle of June, 4pm, artificial turf practice field at Brophy, during one of the hottest summer in years in AZ (it was 117 the day I recall) - I tell you, the heatwaves were visibly rising off the field and the boys were racing off the field in between series to get cleats off because feet were burning - it was repulsive hot. Doing that and full pad practice in Fall here every year for 4 years in high school, and many youth years prior, will definitely be a big factor considered when time to choose. Especially when ASU/UA do not have a real indoor practice facility - ASU doesnt really use it for practice except linemen, at least that use to be the case, nor was it truly climate controlled.

Uh DuckMom15! we can have this conversation in person, we have been on the same sidelines for a couple of games (Seagulls)...and add Campo Verde, Williams Field and Gilbert Christian to the list of "worse places to play football in Phoenix"...We have a few years to go before that all important decision is made.

thatkidsdad wrote: Uh DuckMom15! we can have this conversation in person, we have been on the same sidelines for a couple of games (Seagulls)...and add Campo Verde, Williams Field and Gilbert Christian to the list of "worse places to play football in Phoenix"...We have a few years to go before that all important decision is made.

Ok, I give . . . and you are???? (on the same sideline with me for just a couple of games when my son was on the Seagulls, which was now over 7 years ago, is not too helpful)